Victims of Salem fire identified

Feb 24, 2014

SALEM — Victims of the Feb. 19 explosion/house fire victims in rural Salem have been identified, according to a release from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. John Allen Loyd, 74, and Barbara Ann Loyd, 72, of 3207 James Ave. died in the incident. Their bodies were found inside the trailer house. The victims were positively identified through an autopsy at the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny. The medical examiner’s office has ruled the cause of death as blast and thermal injuries. The cause of fire remains under investigation through the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office. Further information on the explosion and fire will be released when it is made available.